NBA Power Rankings showing Sixers plenty of love

NBA Power Rankings showing Sixers plenty of love

As the chaotic summer slows down, multiple outlets began weighing in on who tops the league with their newest NBA Power Rankings.

Unlike many other teams, the Philadelphia 76ers remained relatively quiet this offseason. They lost out on the LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes and failed to re-sign a pair of their own key second-unit contributors in Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova.

However, the Sixers still boast one of the league’s brightest cores and have reportedly seen significant progress from 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz.

If Fultz can stay healthy and take a step forward this season, Philly, regardless of who they’ve signed or failed to sign, will be even better than last year.

That said, from what we’ve seen this offseason, where would you rank the Sixers among the NBA top-tier?

Clearly, the Golden State Warriors still take the cake for the league’s top spot, but what other teams can be put ahead of Philly? After losing a vital piece in Trevor Ariza and adding a questionable veteran in Carmelo Anthony, should the Rockets still be above a hungry Sixers team?

Let’s take a peek at what some of the NBA’s media outlets think.

ESPN: Sixers at No. 4

Top-five: Warriors, Celtics, Rockets, Sixers, Raptors

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia didn’t make the big splash its fan base might have hoped for — either on the court (no LeBron, Paul George or Kawhi) or in the front office. And, yet, much like Boston, the 76ers are still well positioned to be a conference front-runner with only minor tweaks.

Philly might be the fourth-ranked team, but they have unmatched potential. With stellar defenders in Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Wilson Chandler and Robert Covington, the Sixers should be dominant on both ends of the court.

Behind an ever-improving Simmons, Philly has one of the league’s best and most entertaining teams.

Side note: NBA fans consistently argue about the strength of the Western Conference, yet ESPN ranked three Eastern Conference teams in the top-five.